Microsoft To Expand Xbox Live Support To Nine More Countries

Microsoft announced that it would officially be offering localized versions of its popular Xbox Live and Games for Windows Live services in nine new countries starting on November 10. While Xbox 360 owners in Russia, Poland, South Africa, Greece, Czech Republic, Hungary, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile have been able to use Xbox Live by registering for an account through another supported country, the localized services will "offer tailored content and local support," according to Microsoft. Xbox 360 owners in the newly supported regions who have an existing, foreign Xbox Live account will be able to migrate their subscriptions -- including account details like Gamertags and Achievements -- to new, localized accounts, Microsoft said. However, content purchased on a foreign account will not be available for re-download after this migration, a drawback that Microsoft says its "actively working to address." It's unclear exactly what games and features will be available in each region on launch of the service, but Microsoft said it was focusing on core features like demo and DLC downloads, Xbox Live Arcade games and online multiplayer support and Kinect video chat for gold members initially. While Microsoft says it's aiming for "consistent pricing for Xbox LIVE around the world," some South African users are already complaining about the new service's annual subscription cost of R599, the equivalent of roughly $88, well higher than America's $49.99 annual subscription (which will raise to $59.99 in November).